34

Alex and Nora walked in the lobby door of 2311 North Los Robles at 6:25.

"Sheldon's kind of a stickler for promptness."

"Well that's probably gonna end up being a be a problem for you, babe."

"Hey, I'm on time where work's concerned. I'm only late for stuff we're doing."

"So why's that?"

"I just want to make sure I look perfect. For you it's not that hard. For me it takes a little time."

"Sweetie, you'd look perfect to me no matter what."

"Thank you."

"I see the elevator's broken."

"I think it's been broken for years. Penny told me there's a story."

They continued talking as they walked up the stairs.

"So what's the deal here?"

"Okay. Let's see if I have this right. Sheldon and Leonard used to be roommates. Penny moved in across the hall and Leonard fell head over heels in love with her and now they live together in Penny's apartment and Sheldon lives with his sister Missy."

"And that's who's gonna be here?"

"Plus Sheldon and Missy's older brother George who's just in town for a few days and the baby."

"And Missy and George are the only ones I haven't met yet?"

"Right."

"So is this a work thing or a social thing?"

"Sheldon said social, but work'll probably come up."

"We're not gonna be talking physics all night, are we?"

"It'll probably come up but it's more likely we'll talk about comics. That's right in your wheelhouse, babe. You may be the only girl these guys have ever met who's into comics."

"And this guy Leonard, who's engaged to Penny, put the moves on you while he was dating her?"

"It might have been mutual move putting. What can I say? For some reason I thought he was a nice guy."

"The same guy who tried to put the move on both of us the other day."

"Yeah. Let's try not to bring that up. I really like Penny."

"If you really like her you should bring it up."

"Not in front of a bunch of people."

"Okay. Well, here we are, 4A."

"Alex knocked on the door."

Missy opened the door.

"Hey, y'all must be Alex and Nora. I'm Missy, Sheldon's sister."

"Are we the first ones to get here? We brought some chocolate mousse, fruit and melons."

Missy took the bag from Nora.

"Nope. Everyone's here. We all know about Sheldon's thing for promptness. So you guys know Leonard and Penny."

Penny came over and gave Alex and Nora each a hug. Leonard nervously hung back.

"It's really nice to see you guys outside work. You both look great."

"Thank you."

"While Missy brings your dessert over to the kitchen let me introduce you to Junior, Sheldon's older brother. Junior, come over and meet Alex and Nora."

"Does my little brother only know beautiful women?"

Alex, Nora and Penny all blushed a little.

"So, I see Leonard over there. Why aren't you two beauties with your boyfriends?"

Sheldon heard the exchange and came over.

"Junior, Alex and Nora are a couple. They're together."

"Well, this is California. I should have guessed I'd meet my first lesbians sooner or later."

Missy joined the conversation.

"First, Junior, that's rude. And second, Alex and Nora are not the first women you met who are together."

"Pretty darn sure they are."

"What about the Fester twins?"

"Those sweet old ladies that run the lumber yard?"

"Yeah, the ones that always wear the same kinds of clothes and have the same haircut."

"Yeah."

"Junior, they ain't twins and they ain't sisters neither."

"You're shittin' me."

"Nope. Momma told me years ago. She don't really approve but they give folks at the church a pretty good discount so momma looks the other way."

"Wow. I sure didn't know. I'm really sorry if I insulted you guys."

"As long as you're not trying to beat us up or keep us from doing anything, no problem."

"So what do you guys call yourselves?"

"I'm Nora and she's Alex."

"No I mean I'm not sure what the right word for a lesbian couple is."

"It's couple. And can we drop the lesbian thing. It's a label. I'm not really fond of labels," Nora answered.

"Okay, so while I try to get my foot outta my mouth, would you guys like a beer. For some reason it's the only alcohol my brother's allowin' at this shindig."

"Sorry, Junior, we don't drink. Water or juice would be nice though."

"I'll be back in a few."

"So, Penny, Junior looks a little embarrassed."

"Yeah, it's his first trip to California so you should probably cut him a little slack. He's used to parties where the liquor flows freely and all the women are available."

"I am sure that Junior has no problem with the ladies."

"Nora!" exclaimed an embarrassed Alex.

"Hey, I can admire the merchandise. It's not like I'm shopping."

Penny and Missy both looked confused.

"I thought you were…"

"Please understand that I'm not being critical or contentious but like I said before, I don't like labels. Alex and I are together. We both have, let's say, varied histories."

"I'm confused. Penny are you confused?" said Missy.

"A little."

"Nora, this is your thing. You keep telling me you don't like coming into a room and announcing your back story yet, here we are again…"

"Sweetie, I'm sorry. Really. If you want I'll drop it."

"You already started. Go ahead."

"Okay, so here's the deal. Finding love is hard enough. I've just never felt it was really that important to check the plumbing when you find it."

"So?" asked Penny.

"I've been with guys and I've been with girls. But I think I really struck gold with this one. And I get to be her first girl."

"And hopefully my only girl." And Alex gave Nora a kiss.

"You guys are really in love."

"Hopefully forever and ever."

"Just like us, Penny." Leonard interrupted.

"Yeah." Penny responded with a bit of a sour look.

Just then Sheldon announced that dinner was ready to be served.

"Everythin' is over on the counter. Just serve yourselves and then plop down at the dining room table. There's room for everyone."

"Hey, Missy. Where's the baby?"

"I kinda kept him up most of the afternoon so maybe he naps though dinner. I gotta feed him soon so he'll be out to visit in a bit."

Once everyone sat down Penny stood up.

"Now that we're all here, I have a big announcement."

Leonard looked dumbfounded. Penny hadn't said anything to him. "What could it possibly be?" he thought. "I wonder if…, but nah, Penny would have told me first."

And then there was a knock on the door.

Sheldon stood up. "I wonder who that could possibly be. Tonight's guests are all here."

Sheldon opened the door to find himself face-to-face with Amy Farrah Fowler.

Next: Fireworks, waterworks and a couple of exits.

I'm headed out to a Memorial Day BBQ, but I promise the next chapter will go up later today. Is that cruel of me? Maybe.